Tool for slitting cable covering



Aug. 27, 1 957 K. T. MILLER 2,803,875 7 TOOL FOR SLITTING CABLE COVERING Filed May 8, 1957 INVENTOR. %ix/a%M%/? BY/ w United States Patent TOOL FOR SLITTING CABLE COVERING Kenneth T. Miller, Longmeadow, Mass.

Application May 8, 1957, Serial No. 657,864

3 Claims. (Cl. 30-91) This invention relates to improvements in tools for slitting the covering or insulation of a cable lengthwise to facilitate removal of the covering or insulation from the cable.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a tool for longitudinally slitting the covering of a cable which is simple in form, and has a slitting element that is readily and easily applied to and detached from the tool so that the slitting element may be sharpened or replaced.

Slitting elements of tools of the type which the invention relates frequently require sharpening or replacement but are integral with the tool so that sharpening is difficult. According to the invention the tool is characterized by a novel slitting element which is releasably held by what may be called a frame.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the tool without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed in the form thereof at present preferred.

In the drawings:

Figs 1 and 2 are plan and side elevational views of the slitting tool embodying the novel features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an end portion of a hand grip portion of the tool shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slitting element of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail the tool of the invention will be described.

A strip of metal has a central portion 2 of relatively greater transverse width than end portions 4 thereof, and is doubled upon itself or bent as a loop 6 in this central portion 2, to form what may be called a frame.

The metal of the strip will be relatively thin and sufficiently spring-like so that the portions 4 called grips, are normally spread apart or are in an open position, shown in Fig. 2. The grips are squeezable towards one another by the fingers of the hand to closed position.

A hole 8 is provided in the position 2 of the frame. A cable may extend through this hole 8 and between the portions 4 so that the tool may be drawn along relative to the cable, or vice versa.

The portions 4 are convex in cross section, as shown in Fig. 5, to function as hand grips.

One of the hand grips 4 in its outer end is provided with an elongated slot 10 disposed centrally thereof, and with notches 12 and 14 on opposite side edge thereof, as shown in Fig. 3.

A slittting element 16, shown in Fig. 4, is formed from relatively thin hardenable spring-like metal to the contour of the grip member 4. Said element is provided with depending ears 18 and 20 at opposite sides thereof which are receivable in the notches 12 and 14.

A slitting point 22 or cutter formed on the element 16 extends inwardly or downwardly, as shown, and is receivable in the slot 10 of the grip.

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The element 16 may be applied to the grip 4 by slipping it thereon with the point 22 disposed in the rear portion of the slot and the ears disposed rearwardly of the notches. Then the element is moved forwardly on the grip so that the ears snap into the notches provided therefor.

Thus the slitting element is releasably secured to the grip, and may be readily removed therefrom when desired, as for sharpening or replacement.

By forming the slitting element from spring-like hardenable metal such as steel of a suitable grade or type, the slitting point or knife may be maintained in a sharpened condition. The element being readily and easily affixed to and removed from the grip it is possible to recondition the slitting point at any time or to replace the slitting element.

In operation a cable extends through the hole 8 of the frame and along between the grips thereof. The grips are squeezed between the fingers of the hand so that the slitting point 22 impinges the insulation or covering of the cable, and then the tool and cable are moved relatively longitudinally so that the cable covering or insulation is slit lengthwise.

The ears 1% and 20 of the slitting element are arranged to incline inwardly so as to underlie the edges of the notches suificiently to prevent displacement of the element upwardly from the grip 4 as the point impinges the cable covering. The ears and notches prevent exclusive movement of the slitting element on the grip.

Thus the slitting element resiliently and releasably is engaged with the grip so that it is readily removable therefrom and easily applied thereto.

Having described the tool in the form at present preferred it is desired to claim and secure the following by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A tool for slitting the insulation or covering of a cable lengthwise comprising; a frame and a slitting element, said frame formed from a strip of relatively thin spring-like metal having an intermediate portion bent in the form of a loop with upper and lower elongated end grip portions extending therefrom which are normally in open spaced apart relation and being squeezeable to closed position, said intermediate portion provided with a hole for a cable extending along between said grip portions, one said grip in an outer end portion thereof provided with an elongated slot extending centrally and longitudinally thereof, said slitting element formed from thin spring-like metal to have a portion to overlie said one grip and provided with a slitting point for extending downwardly through the slot thereof, and engageabie means releasably holding said slitting element on said one grip with said slitting point extending through said slot.

2. A tool set forth in claim 1 wherein said engageabe means includes notches provided on opposite longitudinal edges of said one grip and ears depending from opposite edges of said slitting element engaging in said notches.

3. A tool for slitting the insulation or covering of a cable lengthwise comprising; a frame and a slitting element, said frame formed from a strip of relatively thin spring-like metal having an intermediate portion bent in the form of a loop with upper and lower elongated end grip portions extending therefrom which are normally in open spaced apart relation and being squeezeable to closed position, said intermediate portion provided with a hole for a cable extending along between said grip portions, one said grip in an outer end portion thereof provided with an elongated slot extending centrally and longitudinally thereof, and with notches on opposite side edges thereof, said slitting element formed from spring-like thin metal to have a portion to overlie said one grip and provided on opposite side edges with depending ears engageable with opposite longitudinal edges of said one grip and with a depending slitting point for extending through the slot of the .grip, said ears and slitting point of the slitting element being arranged relative to the slot and notches of the one handle whereby with said ears engaging opposite edges of the grip and the slitting point in the rear end of said slot, said slitting element may be moved forwardly on the grip to locate the point on the forward end of the slot and cause the ears to snap onto said notches.

No references cited. 

